Q&A WITH HEATHER BARROW Zumba – classes like a dance party
The worldwide craze of Zumba has not been a flyby-night — in fact the first classes held in New Zealand are right on our doorstep and about to celebrate 10 years since instructor Heather Barrow brought the fast-paced Latin inspired dance exercise to our shores. I caught up with Heather to find out why Zumba is still going strong.
■ How did you first become attracted to Zumba?
I’ve always loved dancing and took Latin dance lessons from the age of 18. In my early 20s a coworker suggested I might like to go to his gym and check out a new Latininspired dance aerobics class. I was of course intrigued because I’ve always been into fitness and to have the possibility of a fun fitness workout seemed too good to be true. So, I checked out the class and from the very first one I was hooked.
■ How does it feel to have brought Zumba to Hawke’s Bay?
Ten years ago this month I moved to Napier. Before I moved to New Zealand I got in touch with Maria Teresa Stone, the lady who brought Zumba to New Zealand. She said she was just about to conduct the first Zumba instructor training workshop in Hamilton and that I would be the first instructor in Hawke’s Bay. I was beyond excited to bring the first class to the Bay and was overwhelmed by the response. The first class was free and was at the Napier RSA. The line extended out of the door and around the building.
■ Why has Zumba remained so popular? Well, I think because of the founder really, Beto Perez, and the team behind him. It started in the mid-90s and was a result of a “happy accident” when Beto was on his way to teach an aerobics class and realised he’d forgotten his music. He had to improvise and with his Latin background he taught with that style. Beto is very passionate about music from all around the world, wanting to include all nationalities and people groups. His motto is it needs to be fun with a party-like atmosphere that’s available for all ages, sizes and fitness levels. So, really, it’s all inclusive, very welcoming and every class is like a dance party.
■ What feedback do you get from your dancers? My ladies love the class and often tell me so. They arrive with a smile and leave with an even bigger one. The days they have Zumba I’ve been told are the best days of the week and the most productive ones too as it get’s people active and interactive with the community. Relationships are forged that last a lifetime. I’ve had feedback about it curing back pain, reversing cardiovascular disease and diabetes and helping with depression and social anxiety disorder — honestly Zumba changes people.
■ How many classes do you run?
I used to run 10 classes a week, but I’m also a clinical nutritionist during the day so I had to cut back a few years ago and now teach two morning classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at Munro Dance Studio on Neeve Rd in Taradale, from 9.30am10.20 am.
■ How many in each class?
I typically get anywhere between 30 and 40 people. New faces are always popping in, which is a real delight to share the experience with people who have never done it before.
■ Mostly women?
My classes are all women, although I have had a number of men in my classes in the past (including my husband). I’m not sure why really as the founder is a man and plenty of men participate in, and teach Zumba around the world.
■ What are some of the main challenges in teaching Zumba? Honestly, there really aren’t any challenges. As an instructor we spend a lot of time outside of class creating and learning our choreography. It takes a lot of time, patience and practice. I have close to 50 hours of songs in my database, so that was a lot of choreography to learn.
■ How do you rate Zumba as an overall fitness exercise compared to others? Honestly, I go to the gym and participate in other fitness classes and believe there is something to benefit from all of them. We are all different and for those that don’t like the gym or find some of the classes too advanced for them Zumba is perfect. The thing about Zumba is it doesn’t feel like exercise because you’re dancing and moving to songs you know and love — it’s a party every time.
■ Do Zumba dancers need any experience or be very co-ordinated? You do not not need any experience to do Zumba in either fitness or dance. People of all ages, sizes and fitness levels participate and just do what they can or feel comfortable with. Co-ordination is always helpful, but believe it or not it does improve over time.
■ How are you celebrating the 10th birthday?
We are having a themed dress-up class in pink on Wednesday, October 16. Class will go for about an hour and prizes will be given for best dressed. Again, all are welcome to join the party. If you come you will find a very warm welcome.
■ For information phone Heather on 0278125071.